Scientists fed people tomatoes—3 months later, their brains had changed

 Somehow your incompetent? doctor missed prescribing this well over a decade ago! And you haven't gotten them fired yet? And removed the incompetent board of directors?

• lycopene (27 posts to October 2012)

Scientists fed people tomatoes—3 months later, their brains had changed

The best tomatoes have the deepest red color. They’re juicier, sweeter and more flavorful, with high levels of lycopene, one of their biggest nutritional benefits.

But what exactly is lycopene, and why is it so important?

According to the International Food Information Council, “Lycopene provides the pigment that gives red and pink fruits their color and is known to have antioxidant properties.

More Powerful

“It’s most commonly associated with tomatoes and tomato products, which are particularly rich sources of lycopene.”

The antioxidant has long been linked to significant health benefits, but a new study published in Antioxidants suggests its effects may be even more powerful than previously believed.

WebMD notes that lycopene has previously been believed to improve heart health, reduce cancer risk, improve skin health, provide pain relief and improve fertility in men.

Now, research is suggesting that the antioxidant plays an important role in brain function—particularly in middle-aged adults.

The study enlisted 47 adults ranging in age from 40 to 55 years old. Participants were assigned to two three-month interventions separated by a one-month washout.

Each day, they were to consume 0.5 grams of tomato paste for every kilogram of body weight, while also consuming a control lycopene-restricted diet.

‘Changes in brain network’

Prior to beginning the study, participants’ cognitive performance was evaluated using validated neuropsychological tests alongside plasma lycopene and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

At the end of the trial, study authors determined that tomato intake improved selective attention and associative memory.

“Resting-state fMRI revealed changes in brain networks, including reduced connectivity in frontoparietal and auditory networks, contrasting with reductions in the dorsal attention network during the control period,” study authors added.

These findings indicate exciting results that tomato intake could be directly linked to improved cognitive function and modulate brain connectivity in healthy middle-aged adults.

Positive Signs

“To our knowledge, this is the first clinical trial to link changes in the antioxidant lycopene with alterations in functional brain connectivity,” the study authors noted.

“Specifically, increased lycopene correlated with reduced connectivity in the right frontoparietal network and enhanced connectivity in the dorsal attention network, the latter consistent with prior observational evidence that lycopene modulates this network.”

While this study is just the beginning, it takes positive steps towards the use of high-lycopene fruits to improve brain function.

So, if you are looking to better your memory or feel sharper each day, perhaps it is a good idea to keep tomatoes in mind—pun intended.

Newsweek has reached out to study authors for comment via email.

Related Articles

• When You Eat Breakfast May Matter More Than You Think, Study Finds
• Local Coffee Shops a Vital Part of America's Business Backbone
• Philadelphia Is Having a Cheesesteak Renaissance

Start your unlimited Newsweek trial